Balmer, selected by the 49ers in the first round of the 2008 NFL Draft, had 19 tackles in 27 games. He was a defensive tackle at the University of North Carolina but, the 49ers shifted him to defensive end in order to fit into their 3-4 scheme.
After Week 12 last season, Balmer was placed on injured reserve with a shoulder injury. He had been absent from San Francisco's training camp practices last week.